Category: Random

Brrrrrr… we’re in the thick of winter and it’s cold even here in Dallas. While you’re cozying up at home and getting your hygge on, here are a few things you can do to make sure you aren’t putting too much of a burden on the environment.

Sweaters: This is the time of year when I live in thick, oversized sweaters. And my number one place for finding them? The thrift store. I’ve said it before and will say it again. While secondhand t-shirts can sometimes feel worn out or faded… I’ve had a lot of luck finding excellent quality sweaters for under $5. This past weekend, I picked up the softest Loft sweater for a whopping $4. So before you decide to order that amazing sweater online, hit up the thrift store or Poshmark or ThredUp to find a piece that’s already out in the world.

Socks: Despite being a generally warm person, my feet are always freezing in the winter time. During the winter, I almost exclusively wear wool hiking socks. While most socks usually have some elastic and/or nylon in them for stretch (and, therefore, not compostable); I’ve found that I’ve never had to toss a pair of my wool hiking socks due to the extreme durability of them. My oldest pair is about 5 years old and has absolutely zero holes. I wear them with boots and around the house (in place of slippers) and then use them while hiking the rest of the year. This is one of those “buy quality over quantity” situations that lead to overall less waste.

Books: With all the indoor time the winter season offers (plus all the New Year’s resolutions to read more), a lot of people take to reading this time of year. Get your books from the library as much as possible! There is seldom a book I haven’t been able to request from our local library (both ebooks and physical ones). Or do a book swap with friends. Or borrow. At the very least, try and find the book used (Amazon is great for this if you look at the used options listed or “More Buying Choices”).

First off — as much as I love minimalism and zero/low waste… I’m not going to tell you to forego gift giving. This is the one time of year that I enjoy giving (and receiving!) mindful gifts. But that’s the key word… mindful. Don’t go overboard with items and focus on high-quality items people will use, use up, or, at the very least, be able to keep for a very long time. Find items by small businesses on Etsy, items created sustainably/ethically/with recycled materials, and items that can nudge someone towards creating less waste. And don’t forget about experiences (concerts and sports) and non physical items (subscriptions). Happy holidays and happy (mindful) gift giving!

Happy post-Thanksgiving/pre-Christmas aka my favorite time of the year! The tree is up, the house decorated, and Hallmark movies are playing on the tv. I love creating these seasonal lists of things to do. It allows me to stay present in the season and maximize all the holiday cheer. Here’s the 20 things I want to do this season:

1. Get festive drinks at HIDE for their Miracle Christmas Popup Bar.
2. Get a hot beverage at Deck the Hall Street, Fiction Coffee’s Christmas popup coffee shop!
3. Go to a basketball game.
4. Re-watch my favorite Christmas movies (Love Actually, The Holiday, It’s A Wonderful Life, Best Man Holiday, The Family Stone, Elf, Home Alone, The Chronicles of Narnia, Grand Budapest Hotel, The Polar Express).
5. Take the dogs (and some hot drinks) to the Deerfield neighborhood to check out the amazing Christmas lights.
6. Go to a Christmas themed Dallas Symphony performance (we’re going to A John Williams Christmas!).
7. Watch the Nutcracker ballet.
8. Decorate a gingerbread house.
9. Send out Christmas cards.
10. Bake a Christmas cake.
11. Decorate Christmas cookies.
12. Take pictures of the dogs in their Christmas bandanas.
13. Check out Vitruvian Lights in Addison.
14. Find family Christmas jammies (my current favorite!).
15. Find the perfect yearly ornament for the tree.
16. Make a hot cocoa bar and drink excessive quantities of it.
17. Binge watch season 2 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
18. Listen to my favorite Spotify Christmas playlists as much as possible all month long.
19. Donate any Christmas ornaments/decor that went unused this year.
20. Go to our city’s tree lighting ceremony.

On this election day, I’m inspired by A Cup of Jo’s post on simple pleasures. After the 2016 election (a night I spent crying in my bathtub with a panic attack), I find it important to balance my hunger for change on a large scale with gratitude for the simple things on a personal level. I vote, I volunteer in my city, I donate to candidates/organizations that represent my values, I work a job that aligns with making the world a better place. I read fluffy novels, cuddle with puppies, spend too long figuring out what color to paint my nails, decorate my house to look like a Christmas elf threw up on it. Today is one of those days when I’ve done what I can for the big things (for this tiny moment in time). And now I wait. And focus on the little things. The small pleasures in life that bring joy and gratitude and remind me that life goes on. That both the big things and the little joys can coexist. Here are my simple pleasures:

When the stars align and I make the perfect cup of David Rio iced chai to taste just like the coffee shop version.
Kissing my dogs behind the ears.
The woods near our home on a cold, misty morning.
Scout carrying a too large stick in her mouth on her morning walk.
Shadow sleeping on my stomach while I watch tv.
Jetlag that causes me to wake up at 5 AM and enjoy dawn.
Finally getting a notification that a much wanted book is available at the library.
Reading about first love.
Finding sweatpants that hide dog fur.
Seeing Lord of the Rings come up on the tv guide.
The smell of cold air after a long, hot summer.
Finding something I thought I lost.
Crossing off items on my to do list (in a journal I bought in London).
Watching videos on Youtube on a lazy Sunday morning.
A truly excellent glazed donut.

It’s officially fall here in Dallas (it actually feels downright winter like today), which is wonderful considering what a brutal summer we had. I really enjoy coming up with seasonal bucket lists — it allows me to stay present in the season we’re in and milk every ounce of joy out of the fleeting months of cooler weather. With a list handy, there really isn’t the opportunity to ever say, “I’m bored.” So here are the 20 things I’m hoping to do this lovely season.

1. Bake an apple pie from scratch (go to crust recipe)
2. Make a fall sangria (like this or this)
3. Watch Hocus Pocus (for the first time!)
4. Have a Harry Potter marathon (with homemade butterbeer?)
5. Go to the Dallas Arboretum to see the pumpkins
6. Make upside down pumpkin cake as much as possible (especially for Thanksgiving!)
7. Adopt a cool looking pumpkin from the pumpkin patch
8. Rock muted green nails (my color for the season)
9. Go on a hike and see fall leaves
10. Pass out candy on Halloween
11. Go to a football game
12. Thrift a sweater (I’m loving “confetti” sweatshirts; this is the one I snagged! but I also love this. and this.)
13. Make spiced cider in the crockpot
14. Bake Halloween candy cookies
15. Get warm donuts on a weekend morning + enjoy with hot cider
16. Go to an Ocktoberfest event
17. Take pictures of my dogs in Halloween costumes (I doubt they’d stand still for this)
18. Make up my own fall latte so I don’t have to go to Starbucks
19. Visit some place new with fall foliage (just got back from Ireland… travel guide coming soon!)
20. Do a fall clean out of household items and really ask myself if an item is necessary, useful, or beautiful? If not — out it goes.

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About

Howdy! I'm Meera. I'm a native Texan, a general badass, wife, doggo mom x 3, world traveler, and minimalist with zero waste aspirations. When not working as a grants manager at an awesome non-profit, I read an excessive number of YA books, play with my adorable puppers, constantly rearrange our home, and travel the world with my lovely husband.

You'll find me writing (solely for fun!) about my adventures in minimalism, zero waste, house sprucing, traveling, food, finances, and self care -- all while trying to live the simple life.